7 Common Questions Regarding OSHA and HIPAA Training Requirements

What are HIPAA and OSHA?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was established to set national standards to protect individual’s medical records and other personal health information. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) was established to ensure safe and healthful working conditions by enforcing standards and by providing training, education, and assistance.

Both acts have mandatory training requirements that can often be a source of confusion for medical and dental practices. Are we required to train annually? Who does training apply too? How long should training be? What topics should be covered? If we do not hold training will we be subject to fines? 

The answers to many of these questions can be found at OSHA.gov or HHS.gov, however, some of these questions are not as clearly defined and can rely heavily on the interpretation of the law.

1) Does OSHA/HIPAA training need to be conducted annually?  

Yes, annual OSHA training for all employees is mandatory, and training for new-hire employees must be completed within ten days of hire. 

HIPAA requires organizations to provide training for all employees, new workforce members, and periodic refresher training. The definition of “periodic” is not defined and can be left open to interpretation. However, most organizations train all employees on HIPAA annually. This is considered to be a best practice. Regulations are updated yearly, so it can be difficult for practices to stay current. Failure to comply can result in fines or other consequences.

2) Who does training apply too? Should the doctor or dentist also be trained?

OSHA training is mandatory for all employees, including the doctor, nurses, receptionists and part-time employees. 

HIPAA training is mandatory for anyone who comes into contact with protected health information (PHI). This includes doctors, dentists, nurses, receptionists and part-time employees/interns. 

Employees in certain positions such as HIM, information technology network administration, or regulatory compliance staff members, may need more specialized training. 

3) How long should training be? 

HIPAA doesn’t specify a particular length for training.  What matters most is the content of the training and that the information is taught effectively.

Proper training for OSHA and HIPAA cannot be conducted in just a few minutes. However, it does not require weeks of training either.

4) What topics should be covered? 

Employers should refer to OSHA's web site (www.osha.gov) for specific training requirements of OSHA standards. Specific, HIPAA training requirements can be found at (www.hhs.gov). 

OSHA & HIPAA requirements as of 2013 include: 

• Annual OSHA Employee Training
• GHS: Global Harmonization System Proof of Training
• HIPAA Omnibus Rule Employee Training & Implement Protocols

The following topics must be given to new employees, or if there is a change in the job procedures that introduces a new hazard:

• General Office Safety – including injury and illness prevention program (IIPP), fire safety and emergency responses, eyewash stations, and washrooms.
• Hazard Communication 
• Ionizing Radiation 
• Bloodborne Pathogens – including medical waste management information.

5) Are we required to keep proof of training? If so, what documentation is required?

Yes, it is very important that the training is documented. HIPAA requires that training is documented. Although it is not specific to how training must be documented.  

OSHA also requires training be documented. Records provide evidence of the employer`s compliance with OSHA standards. Training records should include:

• Dates of the training 
• Content of the training 
• Names and qualifications of trainers
• Names and job titles of attendees

Other requirements: 

• Employee training records must be maintained for three years.
• Employee training records must be available to employees.
• If the practice is sold, employee records will be transferred to the new owner. If the practice is closed, employee records will be offered to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

6) Can we be fined if we don't conduct training, or fail to hold it annually?

Yes, OSHA failure to train citations can be issued if just one missed employee training. OSHA penalties can range from $0-$70,000, depending upon how serious the violation.

HIPAA issues penalties up to 1.5 million depending on the provision of HIPAA violated. Some HIPAA violations can lead to civil or criminal penalties for employees. If employees weren’t provided adequate training, it could cause a greater risk of litigation in the event of such termination.  Doctors and nurses can also be charged with ethical violations and might risk sanction or loss of license.

7) What are some example citations that can be given? 

Each year the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issues citations to employers in the healthcare industry. Below is a list of 10 frequent citations issued to physicians' offices and clinics in the last six months of 2011.

10 examples of OSHA citations for physicians' offices and clinics

1. Failure to implement and maintain an exposure control plan 
2. Failure to train 
3. Failure to engineer out hazards/ensure hand washing 
4. Poor housekeeping 
5. Failure to implement and maintain a written hazard communication program
6. Failure to make the Hepatitis B vaccination available under the BBP standard
7. Failure to prepare exposure determinations 
8. Failure to use personal protective equipment 
9. Failure to provide post-exposure Hepatitis B vaccination under the BBP standard
10. Failure to train employees under the hazard communication standard

10 examples of HIPAA violations

1. Failure to promptly release information to patients.
2. Improper disposal of patient records. Shredding is mandatory before disposing of patient’s record.
3. Missing patient signature. HIPAA forms without the patient’s signature is invalid.
4. Releasing wrong patient's information.
5. Discussing information to friends or relatives about patients in the hospital.
6. Discussing private health information in public areas.
7. Discussing private health information over the phone in public areas.
8. Not logging off a computer system that contains private health information.
9. Including private health information in an email sent over the Internet.
10. Releasing information about minors without the consent of a parent or guardian.

Medical and Dental practices that recognize and value the importance of training employees on HIPAA and OSHA laws and procedures are less likely to have any reported complaints, receive a citation, or fail an audit. Both HIPAA and OSHA training are crucial to ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for employees and patients and for protecting patient’s private health information.

If your facility is seeking training or has questions regarding healthcare compliance guidelines contact the experts at MedTrainer. MedTrainer is the leading one-stop resource in providing healthcare compliance programs in the United States. Our Compliance Consultants are safety professionals who specialize in healthcare safety and have the experience needed to teach your staff the essence of good safety practices. Whether you need periodic specialized assistance to augment your in-house capabilities or turnkey management programs, MedTrainer can help minimize your risk and time, while maximizing your peace of mind. We offer a wide variety of onsite and online training courses including:

• Corporate Compliance
• Hazardous Communication
• HIPAA
• Customer Service Skills
• Ergonomics 
• Unlawfal Harassment for Managers
• Bloodborne Pathogens

The $750,000 Business Associate Agreement Fine

April 20th, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced a$750,000 HIPAA Privacy Rule settlement with an orthopedic practice that failed to enter a business associate agreement (BAA) with a business associate.

A breach report revealed that the orthopedic practice gave x-ray information for more than 17,000 patients to a company that transfers x-ray images to electronic media, and then harvests the silver on the x-ray films. The problem with this arrangement is that the electronic media company had access to the practice’s PHI – and yet there was not a business associate agreement in place.

While we don’t know how this particular problem happened, often these types of HIPAA violations occur when officers and managers work without talking to each other. For example, a new employee in the medical records department releases records without a proper authorization, because they didn’t think to ask the Privacy Officer what to do. Or,

IT and the Administrator decide to buy new computers, without discussing encryption and other security measures with the Security Officer. Or, a department head sends PHI out for storage or processing without asking the Privacy Officer for a BAA.

What You Can Do:

• Remove Communication Barriers. Structure your contracting and purchasing process so that your Privacy and Security Officers have a seat at the table BEFORE decisions are made. Likewise, recognize that individuals making changes to technology or processes need to communicate changes to your HIPAA and compliance officers, so risk can be assessed and management programs can be implemented.
• Use your compliance committee meetings wisely. Does your compliance committee meet quarterly, and listen while the compliance officer reads the meeting agenda? If there’s no discussion, you have a missed opportunity. Use these meetings to share information about emerging risks and upcoming contracts and deals. By getting committee members in the habit of including each other in big decisions, you can avoid costly communication breakdowns.
• Implement a BAA management system. Are you confident that all business associates have an up-to-date BAA in place? There should be a spreadsheet inventory of every business associate, and the date the BAA was in place. Also use a business associate due diligence process to monitor business associates’ HIPAA practices and ensure your PHI is safe.

For more information on how to improve compliance processes contact MedTrainer at support@medtrainer.com or call us at 888.337.0288

The OIG’s Guide to Creating a Compliance Program

The creation of compliance program guidance is a major initiative of the OIG in its effort to engage the private health care community in preventing the submission of erroneous claims and in combating fraudulent conduct. In the past several years, the OIG has developed and issued compliance program guidance directed at a variety of segments in the health care industry. The development of these types of compliance program guidance is based on our belief that a health care provider can use internal controls to more efficiently monitor adherence to applicable statutes, regulations and program requirements.

Copies of this compliance program guidance can be found on the OIG website at http://www.hhs.gov/oig.

Components of an Effective Compliance Program

This compliance program guidance contains seven components that provide a solid basis upon which a organization can create a compliance program with the help of MedTrainer:

1. Conducting internal monitoring and auditing.

MedTrainer assists you in tracking training, policies and procedures, as well as credentials for each employee to ensure that all are up to date and in compliance with federal and state regulations.

2. Implementing compliance and practice standards.

MedTrainer works with the administration set up standards of compliance for the organization by creating training bundles that can be specific to department, position, or location.

3. Designating a compliance officer or contact.

MedTrainer clients have access to a Compliance Specialist that will assist you in making sure that you have all the resources to ensure you are compliant.

4. Conducting appropriate training and education.

This is MedTrainer’s core business practice, our training and education is solely focused on the medical field and their compliance needs. Each course is designed to engage and educate the employee in compliance best practices.

5. Responding appropriately to detected offenses and developing corrective action.

MedTrainer will assist you through audits from OSHA and other regulatory bodies. You have reports to furnish to inspectors instantly to make audits as painless as possible.

6. Developing open lines of communication.

MedTrainer sends automatic notifications to ensure that the completion date of the training is met. Administrators can also communicate to departments, specific positions, or locations about compliance topics.

7. Enforcing disciplinary standards through well-publicized guidelines.

All policies and procedures that have been signed off by staff are always accessible on their student dashboard, just in case an employee has a question on guidelines or policies that have been set by their Administration.

These seven components provide a solid basis upon which healthcare organizations can create a compliance program. The OIG acknowledges that full implementation of all components may not be feasible for all organizations. However, as a first step, organizations begin by adopting only those components which, based on the organization’s specific history with billing problems and other compliance issues, are most likely to provide an identifiable benefit. MedTrainer can assist clients in identifying the issues that plague your office. From training to credential management, MedTrainer is here to assist you in going paperless.

CMS sets a universal format for Physician Quality Measures

There is no doubt that physician quality measures are necessary to meet the growing need for data to support progress being made in patient outcomes and “quantified healthcare”. Physicians have been inundated with various types and formats of quality measurement metrics that are different for similar procedures and treatments.

This course is intended for use by individuals involved in the design and/or conducts human subject research and prepares investigators involved in the design and/or conduct of research involving human subjects to understand their obligations to protect the rights and welfare of subjects in research. The course material presents basic concepts, principles, and issues related to the protection of research participants. Private and public payers are using clinical data to determine contract and reimbursement rates. In fact, Medicare intends on using up to 90% of quality indicators as a basis for determining fee-for-service payment by the year 2018. This has created a serious need to come to a consensus on which quality indicators will be used to measure patient care.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and almost all major health insurance plans, in combination with various medical organizations, employer and consumer group

s have just announced the first set of “core measures” that will be used for value based payments.

Several health insurers including members of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), as well as United Health Group and Aetna have just released a joint collaborative listing seven key core measure sets including metrics for the following specialties:

• Accountable care organizations
• Cardiology
• Gastroenterology
• HIV and hepatitis C
• Medical oncology
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Orthopedics
• Patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs)
• Primary care

With time, this collaborative will continue to add and update the measurement metrics over time. CMS has already stated that it has already started to use these measures from each of the core sets. After ensuring the appropriate rules, CMS will put into practice new core measures across applicable Medicare quality programs. It hopes to eliminate all unnecessary and outdated measures that are not part of the core sets.  In addition, CMS will also oversee the Office of Personnel Management, Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that their quality measures align with these core sets.

Commercial health plans will start to apply these measure sets when hospital or healthcare contracts come up for renewal. So far it is not known if all AHIP member plans will implement the new core measures. CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt reminded everyone that "In the U.S. healthcare system, where we are moving to measure and pay for quality, patients and care providers deserve a uniform approach to measure quality. This agreement today will reduce unnecessary burden for physicians and accelerate the country's movement to better quality."

The news release stated that the collaborative work "is informing CMS's implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA)."

MACRA will establish at a later date on how physicians will be paid by Medicare starting in 2019. Meanwhile, quality data presently being reported to the Physician Quality Reporting System is being used as the basis for CMS' value-based modifier, which will affect all physicians' Medicare income, starting 2017.

Physicians have long been concerned about the high degree of complexity and burden of reporting on quality measures. There have been numerous complaints in the past from healthcare providers that this endeavor has been taking time and resource away from direct patient care. Hopefully, this new agreement on a set of core measures for primary care and PCMH will be a big step forward in standardizing performance measures, while simultaneously contributing to improving the quality of care.

Malignant Hyperthermia

      Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) or malignant hyperpyrexia is a rare life-threatening condition that is usually triggered by exposure to certain drugs used for general anesthesia — specifically the volatile anesthetic agents and succinylcholine a neuromuscular blocking agent.  Susceptible individuals can be induced by these drugs into a drastic and completely uncontrollable increase in oxidative metabolism within the skeletal muscle.  This means that there would be a sharp spike in cellular respiration in which cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients, into Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).  If not immediately treated, MH can overwhelm the body's capacity to supply oxygen, remove carbon dioxide, and regulate body temperature.  This can ultimately result in respiratory collapse tragically leading to death.

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      Susceptibility to MH is an inherited disorder, more specifically an autosomal dominant disorder. MH susceptibility is phenotypically and genetically related to central core disease (CCD), an autosomal dominant disorder characterized both by MH signs and myopathy. MH is usually revealed upon or shortly after exposure to certain general anesthetic agents. There is no simple, straightforward test to diagnose the condition. Treatment with dantrolene and other drugs is usually initiated when MH is strongly suspected. Dantrolene and the avoidance of triggering agents in susceptible people have markedly reduced the mortality from this condition. 
      
       The key to reducing the MH mortality rate, is how to identify if the patient is showing symptoms.  The top symptoms consist all signs of a hypercatabolic state (abnormal increase in metabolic rate)  this includes extremely high fever, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, increased carbon dioxide production, increased oxygen consumption, a sharp increase in the acidity of the patient's blood, Rhabdomyolysis, and rigid muscles.  These signs can be developed at any point during the administration of anesthesia.  The rate at which the susceptible body reacts to MH is alarmingly fast, but just as fast as the situation can grow, it can end.  The average case of a reaction is over after 7 minutes of the discontinuation of the triggering agent, however a great deal off damage can be dealt to the body due to the immense reaction that occurs.

       In the medical field, the use of anesthesia is immensely common and integrated.  With Malignant Hyperthermia being a potential threat looming over any and all first time anesthesia patients, it is imperative that staff of a medical facility are trained and informed about the dangers of MH.  If the proper precautions and measures are not taken, then the life of the patient is potentially at risk.  Ensure the safety, security, and livelihood of your patients, as well as your medical facility, and enforce the training of all staff on the proper response to the occurrence of an MH reaction.  Allow MedTrainer to assist you in your efforts to keep the medical field safe, and schedule a demo today! 
http://medtrainer.com/demo/

Zika Virus and Its impacts in Healthcare

              The Zika Virus is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito found mostly in tropical locations but has now been spread to the Aedes albopictus found in Mexico.  As of April 27, 2016, the CDC reports 426 travel-associated Zika Virus cases reported and 9 acquired cases in the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. There have not been any cases of infected mosquitoes in the US at this time. The first few cases of Zika virus were reported last year in Brazil and neighboring countries. Within a short time the virus is suspected to have infected millions of people in south and Central America; however, not all those who are infected become ill.  It is estimated that 80% of infections will not be diagnosed. 

The initial reports from Brazil revealed that Zika virus could cause birth defects when acquired by a pregnant female, but reports are inconclusive. The CDC reports that the Zika Virus although rare, can spread from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy and it may be linked to birth defects.  Other reports have indicated that the Zika virus could also cause a Guillain Barre like syndrome and partial paralysis. This has created a Level One Health Concern issued by the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).  The CDC has not yet made a direct link between Guillain Barre and Zika. The CDC is working with Brazil to study the possibility of a link between Zika and GBS.

While it has always been believed that the Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, the first case of Zika virus transmitted by sexual intercourse was recently reported.  The CDC recommends the use of condoms in areas of concerns and has issued travel advisories for pregnant women who are considering travel to areas that are affected in Mexico, Central and South America. Even though 3 people have been confirmed to have died in Chile due to a Zika virus, there is no report of prior medical conditions of these patients so the exact cause of death remains a mystery.  Additionally, there are no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding.  Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas where Zika virus is found.

               The Zika virus is causing panic, so it is important to be clear about the facts.  The first thing to understand is that is not a contagious virus similar to the Ebola virus or the common cold.  The majority of people infected with Zika never develops symptoms. The Zika virus is not transmitted via aerosol droplets, so there is currently no need for personalized protection equipment or isolation rooms. The few patients who develop symptoms may present with fatigue, headache, joint pain, malaise and a cough. The only way to confirm the diagnosis in the US is for testing to be completed by the CDC through your healthcare provider.

               The media has caused such an uproar that healthcare professionals may believe that they need to started to investing in testing for the Zika virus and develop protocols on how to treat and manage infected patients.  We need to be prepared, but have to be careful not to overreact.  According to the CDC, “approximately 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become symptomatic. Characteristic clinical findings are acute onset of fever with maculopapular rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis. Other commonly reported symptoms include myalgia and headache. Clinical illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon and case fatality is low”. 

There are no known cures or vaccines for Zika virus.  The CDC recommended treatment is getting plenty of rest, fluids, and use of analgesics and antipyretics. Because of similar geographic distribution and symptoms, patients with suspected Zika virus infections also should be evaluated and managed for possible dengue or chikungunya virus infection. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage. People infected with Zika, chikungunya, or dengue virus should be protected from further mosquito exposure during the first few days of illness to prevent other mosquitoes from becoming infected and reduce the risk of local transmission. 

EPA approved mosquito repellent can be used to help prevent mosquito bites as well as keeping infants covered when outdoors.  Lastly, to prevent any type of mosquitoes from calling your space their home, make sure to remove standing water where mosquitoes like to breed, as well as making sure that screens are in good repair and doors are kept closed.

Medicare Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

      Every year, millions of dollars are improperly spent because of fraud waste, and abuse.  This can be halted and prevented if the process of detect, correct, and prevent, is followed.  This process is required by The Social Security Act, as well as CMS regulations.  It is stated that those whom of which supply medicare and medicaid services, are required to have an effective compliance program of which includes measures to prevent, detect, and correct Medicare non-compliance.  There must also be implemented measures to prevent, detect, and correct fraud, waste, and abuse.  These steps and measures must be provided via effective training for employees, managers, and directors, as well as their first tier, downstream, and related entities.  (42 C.F.R. 422.503 and 42 C.F.R  423.504)
      An effective compliance program can be implemented via in-class settings, online courses, and "one on one" training.  If created correctly, an effective program would consist of steps as to how to detect, correct, and prevent.  It must also contain the 7 core compliance program requirements.
      The first step in stopping fraud waste and abuse, is prevention.  Being the most crucial step in halting fraud, is to go to the most vulnerable portion of information and ensure it's safety.  The most common types of fraud an abuse in the medicaid program include medical identity and theft, unnecessary billing, upcoding, unbundling, and beneficiary fraud.
      Medical identity theft, being the most common, involves the misuse of a person’s medical identity to wrongfully obtain health care goods, services, or funds. More specifically, medical identity theft has been defined as “the appropriation or misuse of a patient’s or [provider’s] unique medical identifying information to obtain or bill public or private payers for fraudulent medical goods or services.” Unique medical identifying information for physicians includes the National Provider Identifier, Tax Identification Number, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration number, and State medical license number. Physician medical identifiers are used for such things as identifying the physician of record on claims and for tracking purposes. Stolen physician identifiers may be used to fill fraudulent prescriptions, refer patients for unnecessary additional services or supplies, or bill for services that were never provided.
      An excellent example of Medical Identity was seen when the ringleader of a criminal group in the Bronx stole prescription pads from doctors and hospitals in the New York City area. Between 2009 and 2011 she used the pads to forge more than 250 prescriptions for painkillers. By using stolen Medicaid cards, she was able to bill the prescriptions to the Medicaid program for a total of more than $200,000. She received two consecutive 4 to 8 year sentences in prison.  Thus, one tip for prevention is that health care professionals should keep their prescription pads in a secure location.
      The second most abused form of fraud is the billing for products or services that are not covered or medically needed.  The Federal Medicaid statute authorizes payment for items and services that are included in each State’s approved plan.  The included items and services vary from State to State. Only those items and services included in the relevant State’s plan are authorized. Even if an item or service is authorized, it is still not covered under Medicaid unless it is also medically necessary.  This can be easily prevented by constant review and analysis of your Medicaid approved plan, this will stop you and your organization from purchase of non-covered goods and or services.  If excessive purchases are made using medicaid that are not covered by the approved plan, the purchasing party can receive an extreme amount of jail time, as well as fines.  This was exemplified when an ambulance service owner in Texas was sentenced to 15 years for billing Medicare and Medicaid for transporting patients by ambulance to dialysis appointments even though the medical condition of the patients did not qualify for that level of transportation.
      Although it may sound like a complex network of underlying danger, Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse can be easily avoided as well as prevented.  If the measures for safety are taken, then it may be brought to a complete and utter stop.  All of the information presented here can be found in a more in-depth toolkit presented by Centers for medicare and medicaid services otherwise known as CMS.  MedTrainer offers extensive and captivating courses on the precautionary steps to take as to how to stop Medicare, Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.  Join us today in creating a more beneficial and productive medical field, free of theft and fraud.  Visit http://medtrainer.com/demo/ to learn more, as well as schedule your free demo.

Fire Safety and Necessity

      OSHA has over seventy regulatory standards set into place for fire safety.  As a result, only about three percent of workplace fatalities are caused by a fire or explosion.  This is in direct correlation, to all the precautionary steps taken by employers to prepare their workers for potential danger.  Although three percent may seem low, the actual amount of fatalities should be zero.  It is understandable to be conflicted when keeping up with fire safety.  However, it is unacceptable to do so, for in order to keep your employees safe, as well as your facility, and business, you must understand the responsibilities that are required to be upheld.
      The first and foremost way to begin your path to compliance, is through the creation of a fire prevention plan.  This must be an updated and written form containing of all potential fire hazards, proper handling procedures for hazardous materials, the control of potential ignition sources, and the necessary equipment to control each major hazard.  This form must be written and stored in an area of which can be obtained by each and every employee.  If your facility has more than ten employees, an oral presentation of the fire prevention plan must be given.
      Alternate exit-routes are another crucial step in securing employee safety.  In the case of a fire, your typical facility exit may be blocked or inaccessible.  As a result, other ways to leave the building are required to ensure a safe escape without harm being caused to you or your employees.  These alternate exits should be included in you emergency action plan.  Aside from an evacuation process, the emergency action plan should contain procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency, procedures for rescue or medical duties, and procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation.  Included outside of the emergency action plan, training should be given to a selection of employees whom of which will assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of all other employees.
      Within a facility may reside potentially hazardous materials of which can cause a spontaneous combustion, explosion, fire, and meltdown.  These materials are required to be documented, each with their own proper disposal process, how to control the material in an emergency situation, and the proper equipment to take said control.  Under the category of hazardous materials falls: compressed gases, acetylene, hydrogen, oxygen, flammable liquids, spray finishing, explosives and blast agents, storing of gases, storing of anhydrous ammonia, safety management of highly hazardous chemicals, and lastly the hazardous waste operations and emergency response.
      Fire safety wouldn't be complete without an overview on fire protection.  Within the scope of fire protection, falls an entire list of application and definitions of which are applicable to items such as fire detection systems, extinguishers, and much more.  Plans must be physically available for all employees in a facility ranging in genre of proper extinguisher use all the way to fire brigades.  Although extinguishers are required, ones containing carbon tetra-chloride, or chlorobromomethane, are not permitted by OSHA.  It is also necessary to inspect and maintain fire extinguishers in a fully charged and operable condition, of which are easily located and accessible.
      With all forms of fire safety taken into full account, your facility and employees can confidently work with assurance that you are prepared for a fire.  The process of creating a fire safety plan, can be long, grueling, overwhelming, and tedious, all the while entirely necessary.  However, with the help of MedTrainer, fire safety planning has never been easier.  With many templates already created, MedTrainer can increase your facility's preparedness for an unexpected fire.  Schedule your free demo today at: http://medtrainer.com/demo/

Identifying Abuse/Neglect in Children and Elders

      The improper usage or treatment of an entity, otherwise known as abuse is sadly all to common in day to day human interaction.  It takes hundreds of shapes and forms, such as physical, verbal, maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, and of course unjust practices.  although abuse can occur in many different ways, it is most commonly found in elders, as well as children due to their inability to defend or protect themselves.  This may be a horrible topic to cover, however, it is enormously crucial to understand the importance behind identification, prevention, and taking action in order to stop abuse.
      The first step that all of us are responsible for, is identifying when abuse occurs, what form it may be, and whom of which caused it.  Let's start with identification, specifically physical abuse.  Physical abuse is the most used of all, and as a result is the simplest to identify.  Common signs of physical abuse consist of bruises, sprains, difficulty in walking, bruises on neck that resemble fingerprints, and spiral fractures usually occurring in the wrists, arms, and legs.  Spiral fractures are common in both children and elders, due to their bone composition being more fragile and weak than that of a typical adult.  The most regular of which appears on the wrist which can simply be caused by a fast grabbing and rotating motion.  This is normally caused when the abuser attempts to gain immediate control of the victim with excessive force.
      Abuse prevention is above all, the most important step in this process, for if prevention is successful, then there is no need for the other two portions.  There are many different ways to prevent abuse, such as training, information awareness, and anger management courses.  quite possibly the most crucial portion of prevention, is learning the facts and understanding the risks.  This means that we must be entirely aware of the situation of potential victims, and have factual information that can prove potential abuse.
      It is up to us to report abuse, as it is reported that on average, only 1 out of 10 victims will report it themselves.  This is due to the fact that the victims fear what will occur if their abusers are exposed.  About 33% of abusers are family members, while 59% are people whom of which are judged by the family as trustworthy.  It can be difficult to identify the abuser, as there are little to no characteristics that "set them apart."  They look and act just like us and sometimes go out of their way to appear trustworthy.  Because of this, you will more than likely have to confront the potential victim directly.  This process can be dreadful and typically painful for the victim, as they likely fear what their abuser will do if they are exposed.  To start, ensure that you have a factual basis to form your reason for confronting the victim.  This can consist of but is not limited to: abrasions, flinching when being addressed, a look of fear when spoken to by a caretaker/guardian, and complaint of pain and difficulty walking.  Always have a valid reason for addressing the potential victim, and ensure them that everything they say to you is confidential and will not reach their abuser.  If the victim confesses to whom their abuser is, and the actions he or she has done, it becomes your responsibility to contact authorities, or a legal entity that can grant the victim permanent safety.
      With all of these steps followed correctly, and the actions taken properly, then we may one day live in a world with no abuse.  However, we currently live in a world riddled with abuse of which must be brought to an immediate end.  It is up to all of us to identify, prevent, and take action against all forms of abuse.  Take the first step, and make an impact in your healthcare facility with MedTrainer, offering multiple courses on everything discussed in this post.  Contact us today for your free demo, and begin the process in bringing abuse to a halt.
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Informed Consent

      Informed consent is only given when the receiver-to-be has a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, potential outcomes, as well as potential consequences.  Although this concept appears simple, it contains an entire list of potential prevention factors.  Certain impairments such as mental illness, Alzheimer's disease, intoxication, and even basic intellectual immaturity can restrict a person from granting permission to healthcare providers.  In certain cases where the individual of concern is incapable of giving his or her own consent, another person is generally authorized to give consent for said individual.  This can be seen with guardians of children, as well as conservators for the mentally ill whom of which may be rendered incapable of providing conscientious and informed consent.

      In the medical world, millions of people receive care for injuries and sickness.  All of which give consent so that medical professionals can do their job.  The process in which permission is gained before healthcare intervention on a person is granted, is called Informed Consent.  It is granted via patient permission and follows guidelines from the fields of medical ethics as well as research ethics.
      There are multiple different forms and sheets of which a person is required to sign so that the informed consent has physical and legal documentation that is created by legal standards.  Templates of these consent forms can be easily accessed on the World Health organization Website for common and practical use.  Not only are these forms required, but they are extremely useful when it comes to assessment of consent.  Assessment of consent is the process in which the determination between comprehension and confusion of the agreement is made.  This can be complex to evaluate due to the fact that neither expressions of consent, nor expressions of understanding of implications, mean that full consent was given, nor that full comprehension was successfully digested.  With the assistance of informed consent documents, the assumption that the individual comprehends the matter, is implied due to their signature of agreement.  However, without documentation, it can be stated that a person may verbally agree to something from fear, perceived social pressure, and or psychological difficulty in asserting true feelings.  The occurrence of incomprehension may also happen if the person fails to understand the potential consequences.
      Alternate circumstances may change the necessity of informed consent.  Multiple situations can consist of emergencies where the individual is incapacitated or otherwise unable to give consent.  In this instant, it is necessary to give medical treatment to the injured or otherwise incapacitated individual in order to sustain their life, therefor informed consent is not needed.  However, if the individual is not in need of medical treatment, and instead desires treatment, then consent must be implemented.
      The use of Informed consent forms is a widely spread practice to ensure the comfort of both the healthcare provider as well as the patient.  Although at times it may seem rather excessive, it is another necessary precaution of which me must uphold in the medical field.  Enforce this requirement, and make sure that your healthcare facility is practicing safely, soundly, and of course with compliance to local, state, and federal regulations.  Ensure this and much more with the help of MedTrainer.  Contact us today and reserve an appointment for your free online demo at: http://medtrainer.com/

Infection Control

    Every year, lives are lost because of the spread of infections in hospitals. Health care workers can take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These steps are part of infection control.  Of the many ways to prevent infection, the most commonly stressed is hand washing.  This is also the most practiced form of infection control  as it is a vigorously set standard by the CDC.  There are multiple ways to practice hand sanitation, one for example is the use of an alcohol based hand rub as a disinfectant.  The proper process is to apply to one hand and vigorously rub both hands together until dry.  The second of course, is washing your hands using soap and water.  This process is properly executed by wetting your hands with cold water, applying soap, and vigorously scrubbing hands with the antibacterial soap for fifteen seconds.  Next, rinse your hands and dry them with a paper towel, you will then use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.  Hand sanitation is always necessary before touching a patient, exiting the care area after touching the patient or potentially contaminated materials, after touching any form of bodily fluid, before performing an aseptic task (ie. injection), and after glove removal.      A second form of infection control is through the use of Personal Protection Equipment, otherwise known as PPE.  PPE takes many shapes and forms, consisting of gloves, gowns, goggles, surgical masks, face masks, gas masks, hazmat suits, face shields, and respirators.  All PPE have at least one similarity, and that is the standards set by the CDC.  All PPE must be fit to the user, and the proper PPE must be used for certain procedures.  Personal Protection Equipment requires a specialized procedure to both put on and remove.  To equip PPE, the equipment must be new, or disinfected if it is a reusable material.  Hand hygiene as previously discussed must occur before donning PPE, then the user may equip his or her gown, next face protection device, and lastly gloves.  For PPE removal, simply reverse the process, removing the gloves first without touching the potentially infected outside portion.
    Another and more than likely most important infection control precaution, is the identification process of those with potential respiratory infections.  A very common form of disease outbreak, is through respiratory excretion of an infection (ie. coughing, sneezing, etc.)  Through pathogenesis (entering through the distal airway via inhalation), common infections such as Influenza, Bronchitis, Bronchiolitis, and Pneumonia can be very easily spread without taking proper infection control measures.  With proper safety measures, infection can easily be subsided to a minimal amount.  One of the most common procedures taken, is the use of respiratory hygiene (ie. cough and sneeze etiquette.)  Another important form of infection control is training staff as to how to remain alert with identifying people with potential respiratory infections (irregular breathing, coughing, sneezing, and hacking.)  Finally, respiratory infection spreading can be slowed simply by using the supplies available in practically every medical facility.  These consist of face masks, tissues, alcohol based hand rubs, and no-touch waste receptacles for disposal of potentially contaminated materials.
    Through necessary and implemented protocol, infection control can be efficiently and successfully used to keep medical facilities, staff, and patients safe.  MedTrainer offers many courses pertaining to Infection control ranging from Airborne and Droplet disease Transmission to Hand Hygiene.  Keep your medical facility and staff safe, and ensure that your patients are taken care of with the use of MedTrainer, an online compliance system that is effective, inexpensive, and used worldwide as a way to keep the medical field safe and reliable.
  Sign up for your free demo today at:     http://lms.medtrainer.com/

Ergonomics and Injury

A Musculoskeletal Disorder otherwise known as an MSD, is a condition in which muscles, nerves, and tendons are affected negatively.  MSD's of the neck, upper extremities, and lower back, are the number one causes of a lost workday injury and illness.  There are over one-hundred different Musculoskeletal Disorders affecting anywhere from tendons, to ligaments, to muscles all throughout the body.  An MSD can easily be caused by lifting too heavy of items, pushing/ pulling heavy loads, bending, and reaching overhead.  These are known as risk factors, all of which cause disorders.  However, an MSD doesn't have to happen in an instant, in fact they most commonly occur over a large period of time in which the body is operating in an awkward posture.  Ultimately, analysis shows that the main cause of MSD's in the workplace, is the repetition of processes in which the body is improperly fitted.

    The study of fitting the workplace to the employee, is known as ergonomics.  Ergonomics assists in finding ways to properly and safely function in the workplace, while lowering the susceptibility to MSD's.  When practiced correctly, studies have shown that ergonomics will increase productivity, lessen muscle fatigue, and, lower the number as well as the severity of work related MSD's.  The industries with the highest rates of Musculoskeletal Disorders, are health care, transportation, and warehousing. MSD's can lead to a permanent annoyance in an employees life causing displeasure, discomfort, and a decrease in productivity.  Common MSD's consist of Carpal Tunnel syndrome (CTS), Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).  These are commonly caused by immense physical overexertion such as lifting too heavy of an object, or an object that may not be too heavy, but is lifted too many times.  RA is a rather aggressive degenerative MSD due to the fact that 40% of people with RA retract from the workforce within 5 years of their diagnosis because of their condition  It is the duty of the employees to be aware of when they are damaging themselves, and when to take a break to alleviate any encumbrance they may have attained.  With proper practice of ergonomics, the number of people affected by MSD's can be greatly reduced, productivity will increase, and employees will be able to confidently work without worry of injury.

    The first step in solving MSD's, is addressing what is causing the problem.  This can be tackled simply by creating a strong commitment by management, to enforce and uphold proper ergonomic processes.  Another way to manage MSD influence on the workplace, is to provide training.  Providing an educational format to understand the danger of ergonomic malpractice, can inform employees as to how to identify potential causes to MSD's, and stress the importance of reporting any early signs of a disorder.  A good ergonomics training program will teach employees how to properly use equipment, tools, and machine controls as well as the correct way to perform job tasks.  Such as work methods that allow workers to keep their joints in a neutral position while using tools requiring manual force to prevent excessive force on joints and tendons.  Employers should also encourage employees to avoid forms of side-to-side twisting, and to refrain from making any quick motions with their wrists.  MSD management is another important element of an effective ergonomics program. Proper MSD management focuses on early identification and evaluation of signs and symptoms of MSD's and helps eliminate or reduce the risk of developing MSD's.  With compliance from both the employers, employees, and trainers,  MSD's can be removed from the workplace all together.  Ensure that you meet the compliance standard, and help increase the longevity of your role in the workforce with MedTrainer.  MedTrainer offers an in depth analysis and lesson as to how to remain safe and compliant in the workplace.  http://medtrainer.com/

Hazardous communication and Safety Data Sheets

    Since December 1st, 2013, all employees have been required to be trained on Safety Data Sheets in the workplace by their employer. An SDS is a precautionary standard in order to avoid injury, and to educate employees on potentially harmful chemicals in the workplace.  It is also an important component of product stewardship as well as occupational safety and health.  SDS's are a commonly used system for cataloging chemicals, chemical compounds, and chemical mixtures.  More often than not, these forms will include physical data of the substance (ie. Melting point, boiling point, etc.). The SDS is widely used to describe toxicity, health effects, how to store said substance, and spill handling procedures.  As a safety measure for employees, each and every SDS contains first aid information, as to how to clean and or disinfect an employee contaminated with said substance.  Certain chemicals have different levels of reactivity, meaning that they require specific types of handling.  SDS's have been implemented to prevent chemical activation of which can injure employees, and cause a business to shut down due to lack of safety protocol being followed.  All of this is to ensure that the handling and working with that substance is in a safe and condoned manner that abides to all governmental regulations and requirements.    

      The new HazCom standards implemented by OSHA, require an in depth hazard classification, descriptive clear labels, a sixteen section format for all SDS's, and of course the informing and training of all employees.  All classifications now consist of specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.  All chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictograph, as well as a hazard statement for each hazard class and category.  Violation will ensue if these labels are damaged in the slightest, for they are required to be easy to read and understand.  Precautionary statements must also be provided about any and all hazardous ingredients contained in a substance.  If any new hazards are identified by the employer after the date of December 1st 2015, it is the job of the employer to inform and educate all employees within six months of said discovery.  The latest legal date to inform all employees by is June 1st, 2016.  However, if the employer is making a reasonable effort to comply, but has yet to received the new SDS's, then said legal end date may be extended.

    When it comes to accessing SDS's, it is within the standard of compliance to keep all files in an "online binder."  However, all files must be obtainable in a backup location in the event of a power outage or in the case of inaccessibility, as well as offsite locations.  In order to be fully and legally compliant, employers must learn the standards as well as the ability to identify responsible staff members that properly follow guidelines.  The employer must also provide and implement a written Hazard Communication Program (HazCom) which informs all employees about a potential hazard.  Other employer duties consist of updating his/her employees with important information regarding SDS Maintenance.  Lastly the employer must constantly undergo re-evaluation and reassessment of his or her program.  This will guarantee compliance with national requirements, and keep your workplace a safe and functioning area of employment as well as care.  Ensure that you follow all protocols with the many online certification courses offered by MedTrainer. http://medtrainer.com​

Identity Theft Prevention in Healthcare Tips

With just 1 month left in 2015, healthcare has already seen an astronomical 109 million records breached. That accounts for just a little over 78% percent of the total number of records breached in all sectors of the US economy this year. When you consider that the leading cause of breaches in healthcare this year is due to cyber-crime. In 2014, there were approximately 2.32 million victims of medical identity theft in the US. That is an increase of almost 50 percent over the previous year. Sadly, it is not always cyber-crime that leads to medical identity theft. Employees of healthcare organizations have access to thousands, if not millions of patient records every day. There have been two high profile cases in the news within just the last few months.

In June of this year, local authorities, and Montefiore Medical Center in Manhattan conducted an investigation that uncovered an identity theft ring that included an employee of the medical center. The employee was charged with identity theft, and it is believed that she sold as many as 12,000 patient records between 2012 and 2013. In July, local authorities in Jackson, Mississippi notified Merit Health Northwest Mississippi that one of their employees was potentially involved in identity theft, and was currently under investigation. It is believed that between February of 2012 and June of 2015 this employee accessed the records of at least 810 patients for the purpose of identity theft. The investigation is still ongoing.

What can you as a front line employee do to help protect patient information against loss due to theft? The first step is to understand your access to patient information, and its intended use. Employees of any medical or dental practice are bound by law to access patient information for the purpose of treatment, payment and healthcare operations only. That means you access records when you are involved in the treatment of a patient, or involved in filing claims or collecting payments. In addition to direct patient care, there are healthcare operations that may require access to patient records, such as quality assessments, employee evaluations, legal and medical reviews and employee access monitoring to ensure it is appropriate.

Next, know your environment. If you see something suspicious, or you believe someone else is using or accessing patient information inappropriately, you have an obligation to report such activity. Breaches in general have an enormous detrimental effect on the entity. Those related to insider activity are even worse, further eroding the trust of the patient-consumer. Already 68% of the population does not believe that the healthcare sector does enough to protect their information. The estimated financial cost to the organization for breached records is around $200. However, the cost of a damaged reputation is a very real concern for any business in the US, and healthcare is no exception. In the aftermath of a breach, the high cost of recovery affects not only the bottom line for an organization but the employees as well, through job loss for some and additional hiring and training for others.

Finally, report any suspicious activity from outside the organization. Have you ever been approached about patient information? Have you ever noticed someone wondering around the facility you work in that does not belong, or you don’t recognize? Social engineering is becoming a huge problem in healthcare. It is a non-technical method of intrusion hackers use that relies heavily on human interaction and often involves tricking people into breaking normal security procedures. Social engineers are pros at blending in to places they do not belong in order to attempt to gain unauthorized access to patient information. Lock unattended computers, secure mobile devices, and, if you see someone that you are not sure about, report it. It is better to be safe than sorry! 

Ask your administrator to assign you the Identity Theft Prevention course for more detailed training or if you are not a MedTrainer client email us at support@medtrainer.com for more information.

FAQ's: Transitioning from MSDS to SDS

OSHA understands that during the transition to GHS, things could get a little messy. That’s why, during the transition period, a company can be in compliance with old HCS, the new GHS system, or a combination of both. However, more importantly, at no time may an employer be out of compliance with both the old and the new.

We realize that all of this might seem challenging.  That’s why MedTrainer helps organizations comply with Hazardous Communication OSHA requirements in several ways:

• We offer access to the healthcare's largest library of updated SDSs, including SDSs in the GHS format.
• We search the marketplace for the most recent SDSs, and upload approximately thousands of new or revised safety data sheets into our system each week. We also give users the ability to upload their own SDSs or request that we retrieve a needed SDS.
• We flag safety data sheets in our system that are in the GHS format and make it easy to search, track and manage your SDSs across your organization.
• We provide on-line training on Hazardous Communication and a variety of OSHA compliance related topics.

Wherever you are in your company’s transition toward GHS, the time to get started is now. Download our quick guide to Frequently Asked Questions from transitioning to MSDS to SDS here. 

Proper Hand Hygiene in Medical Clinics

Proper hand hygiene is the single most important factor in preventing nosocomial infections (infections that occur within the healthcare setting).  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it best when they called hand washing the do-it-yourself vaccine. Proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to reduce disease transmission. It is always a good idea to review the basic principles of handwashing from time to time. Since flu season is underway, now is a great time to review!

The CDC offers 5 simple steps for effective handwashing:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.

4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dryer. Unless you have a hands-free system, remember to use the towel to turn off the water instead of bare hands.

The evidence base concerning the spread of Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAI) continues to prove a link with the natural workflow of care. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified five essential moments when hand hygiene is required during health care delivery:

• Before touching a patient

• Before performing a cleaning or aseptic procedure

• After a body fluid exposure risk

• After touching a patient

• After touching patient surroundings

The guidelines are designed to be easy to learn, logical and applicable in a wide range of settings. To read more about the WHO recommendations, visit http://bit.ly/1LUU6FV.

Research has proven that hand hygiene is a challenge in all health care environments, yet it is the one thing which will consistently reduce the likelihood of spreading infection. Could saving a life could be as simple as washing your hands? Yes! Proper hand hygiene protects workers and patients alike. Visit the CDC promotional page for educational materials for patients and healthcare workers and statewide campaigns: http://1.usa.gov/1jBse2u. 

To get a more in-depth training on proper hand hygiene please ask your admin to assign the “Hand Hygiene” course within MedTrainer or if you are not a client yet feel free to email for more information at support@medtrainer.com. 

Work Place Violence Awareness

Workplace violence is a serious concern for everyone, no matter the type of business or the position held. In fact, workplace homicide continues to be the fourth leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States and the leading cause of death for women in the workplace.

What can be classified as workplace violence? According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), it is any act or threat of physical assault, harassment, intimidation, verbal abuse or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs in the workplace. Preparing ahead of time and arming yourself with knowledge will help you stay safe and mitigate threats. Consider how you would answer the following questions as you review safety measures in your work environment.

• Are name tags or ID cards required for workers to access your office? Do they omit personal information such as last name?
• Is a limited amount of cash kept on hand?
• Is the patient waiting area visible to workers?
•  Are waiting areas and work areas free from objects that could be used as weapons?
•  Is furniture in waiting areas and work areas arranged to prevent entrapment of workers?
• Are the facility corridors, rooms and parking lots well lit?
•  Do you have a means of emergency communication?
• Could someone hear a worker who calls for help?
• Are waiting times for patients kept short to reduce frustration?
• Can exit doors be opened only from the inside to prevent unauthorized access?
• Is your office in a high crime location?

 A violence prevention program must include management and employee participation. It is extremely important to be proactive before incidents occur. Report anything suspicious to your Safety Officer or management. Often times, our instincts are right! MedTrainer has an extensive workplace violence prevention course available and also you can track any workplace violence incidents within MedTrainer. To take a look at how MedTrainer can help you prevent workplace violence sign up for a FREE 14 day trial here.

This year, OSHA published updates to the 1996 and 2004 voluntary guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers. To learn more about violence prevention program strategies, visit http://1.usa.gov/1ARRqcg.

Training for Better Outcomes

Building a committed and motivated staff is a Better Outcome that most offices would like to achieve. Training staff is not an easy task to accomplish, with heavy patient loads and trying to keep on top of continuously changing regulations, it is almost impossible keep on track with traditional classroom or binder training. The benefits of online training fit well within the healthcare industry as staff can navigate freely and control the pace at which they move through a course and online c

ourses can be updated quickly to keep on top of changing regulations.

The Better Outcome of saving not only time but money is another top priority for many offices. As worker’s compensation premiums and costs in general increase, many offices are looking for areas to cut expenses. Traditional training costs employers almost $1000 a year per employee. Online training costs clinics less than $100 a year per employee. Not only can you cut direct expenses with Online Training by 90%, but as reported by the department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration that every $1 that is spent on safety training employers save $4-6 in work related accidents. This cuts costs of workers comps claims down significantly and allows offices delegate expenses elsewhere.

How MedTrainer Creates Better Outcomes

Measured Management

Measure success and manage users, locations, courses, transcriptions and more with ease.

Learning

Efficiently and effectively train staff as individuals or as a group using MedTrainer's learning platform. Create customized curriculums, courseware bundles, and have access to over 60 of our core courses for healthcare.

SDS Management

Manage SDS (Safety Data Sheets) by uploading your own or searching our database of millions of SDS sheets. Employers must ensure that the SDSs are readily accessible to employees for all hazardous chemicals in their workplace. This may be done in many ways. For example, employers may keep the SDSs in a binder or on computers as long as the employees have immediate access to the information

Award Winning Service

Need help with something? We are by your side all the way! Contact us via email, chat, telephone or even good old snail mail with support questions or inquiries. We are open from 8AM to 6PM local time regardless of where you are in the United States.

Resources

Save time and money with access to our resource section which features thousands of documents and resources from regulatory bodies such as CMS, HHS, OSHA, the CDC and more!

Document Management

Effectivly create, edit, and manage safety plans, internal policies and incident reports. Increase safety for better employee retention and performance outcomes

• The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), estimates the annual workers' compensation benefits paid for all compensable injuries and illnesses in 2009 at $58 billion.

To learn more about how MedTrainer can help you achieve better outcomes in your organization visit www.medtrainer.com.